2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Rover 25 MOT pass rate and common faults

628 MOT tests in 2024. 60.5% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time60.5%
Failed or needed repairs39.5%
Typical mileage at test63,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 628 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.2%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.2%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.4%
  4. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.8%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.0%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.9%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics23.7%
  2. Body & chassis17.5%
  3. Brakes12.6%
  4. Suspension6.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks6.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%
  7. Tyres3.7%
  8. Steering3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.1%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.0%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Rover 25?

In 2024, 60.5% of 2003 Rover 25 cars passed their MOT first time, across 628 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Rover 25?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; stop lamp: not working; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Rover 25 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).